violent crimes

“They are killing people close to this compound, it not safe for you to stay here,” said our missionary host. I was in India on a mission trip to reach out to abandoned children in the orphanages.

Abandoned. Child’s chair. Asylum. (Photo credit: World of Good)

The killings happened 4 miles away from where I was, and no one claimed responsibility for the murderous act. People were terrified.

But God’s hand of protection did not fail me. He protected me from adverse danger and even those that I didn’t know of. This really came home to me as I witnessed the driving culture in this foreign country, and saw how many times my team and I almost ran into pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles and cars.

Most of the people in the world have no understanding of how close they might have come to their last day on earth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice, an estimated 4.3 million violent crimes, 15.6 million property crimes, and 133,000 personal thefts were committed against U.S. residents age 12 or older in 2009. The rate of household burglaries was 27.6 victimizations per 1,000 households in 2011.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will sayto the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge—no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”

Prayer of Gratitude

Thank You Lord, for all the ways that You have protected me. Even when I am not aware of the dangers ahead of me, You have protected me time and time again. Heavenly Father, I appreciate your constant protection over my life. Please help me to constantly praise and thank You for Your faithfulness to me.